Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Future Drought Fund Communities Program Small Network Grants, delivered by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), provide funding of up to AUD 50,000 for projects that strengthen social resilience, wellbeing, and community connections in agriculture-dependent communities across remote, rural, and regional Australia. Round 2 offers a total funding pool of AUD 1 million to support drought preparedness, climate adaptation, leadership development, community networks, and local capacity-building initiatives between October 2026 and April 2028.
Overview
The Future Drought Fund Communities Program Small Network Grants aim to help agriculture-dependent communities become more resilient to future drought conditions and climate-related challenges.
The program supports local initiatives that strengthen social connections, improve community wellbeing, build leadership capacity, encourage collaboration, and enhance preparedness for drought and climate change.
Round 2 of the program has a total funding allocation of AUD 1 million, with individual grants of up to AUD 50,000 available for eligible organisations.
Funding Details
- Total funding available: AUD 1 million
- Maximum grant amount: AUD 50,000 per organisation
- Minimum grant amount: No minimum funding request
- Project delivery period: October 2026 to April 2028
- Funding provider: Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)
- Program: Future Drought Fund Communities Program Small Network Grants
Program Objectives
The program is designed to strengthen the long-term social resilience of communities that depend on agriculture.
Key objectives include:
- Strengthening social resilience and community wellbeing
- Building long-term social connections
- Enhancing drought preparedness and risk management
- Supporting adaptation to climate change
- Encouraging community networking and collaboration
- Developing local leadership skills
- Supporting young people and First Nations communities
- Improving access to services, resources, and infrastructure
- Promoting place-based solutions tailored to local needs
- Strengthening communication and information-sharing networks
- Increasing community capacity to respond to future drought events
What Types of Projects Can Be Funded?
Eligible projects may include activities that help communities prepare for future droughts while strengthening local connections and resilience.
Examples include:
- Building or strengthening professional networks
- Developing community support networks
- Organising conferences, seminars, forums, and field days
- Delivering drought preparedness training programs
- Providing community risk management education
- Supporting leadership development initiatives
- Delivering personal development programs
- Creating opportunities for collaboration among community organisations
- Improving community meeting spaces
- Undertaking small-scale infrastructure upgrades
- Expanding access to local services and community resources
- Supporting initiatives designed for local climatic and geographic conditions
Understanding Social Resilience
Social resilience refers to a community’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from challenges such as drought, climate change, economic pressures, and environmental disruptions.
Strong social resilience often includes:
- Connected and supportive community networks
- Effective local leadership
- Access to reliable information and services
- Community participation and collaboration
- Skills and knowledge for managing future risks
- Strong support systems for vulnerable groups
The program recognizes that resilient communities are better equipped to manage drought impacts and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a not-for-profit organisation
- Hold a valid ABN or Incorporation Certificate
- Deliver projects that provide public benefit and charitable outcomes
- Operate in or support eligible agriculture-dependent communities
- Submit only one application during the funding round
Organisations with or without DGR-1 endorsement are eligible to apply.
Who Is Not Eligible?
The following applicants are not eligible:
- Individuals
- Sole traders
- Private businesses
- For-profit entities
- Incomplete applications
- Organisations submitting multiple applications in the same funding round
Eligible Communities
Projects must benefit:
- Agriculture-dependent communities
- Remote communities
- Rural communities
- Regional communities
Projects should address local circumstances and community needs, including environmental, climatic, social, and economic factors.
Why This Grant Matters
Drought affects more than agricultural production. It can also impact community wellbeing, social cohesion, mental health, economic stability, and access to services.
This grant program helps communities:
- Build stronger local networks
- Improve preparedness for future droughts
- Develop sustainable community-led solutions
- Increase collaboration among local organisations
- Strengthen leadership and decision-making capacity
- Support long-term community wellbeing
- Improve resilience to climate variability and change
By investing in people, networks, and local capacity, the program helps communities become better prepared for future challenges.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Review the eligibility requirements to ensure your organisation qualifies and your proposed project benefits eligible agriculture-dependent communities.
Step 2: Define Community Needs
Identify the local challenge your project will address, such as drought preparedness, social connection, leadership development, or community resilience.
Step 3: Design Your Project
Develop a project plan that:
- Addresses community priorities
- Demonstrates long-term benefits
- Supports drought preparedness and resilience
- Includes measurable outcomes
- Aligns with program objectives
Step 4: Prepare Supporting Information
Gather required organisational documentation, including:
- ABN or Incorporation Certificate
- Project budget
- Project timeline
- Organisational details
- Evidence of community benefit
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Complete and submit the application before the program deadline and ensure all required information is included.
Step 6: Deliver the Project
Successful applicants must implement approved activities between October 2026 and April 2028.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly explain the community need
- Demonstrate how the project improves drought resilience
- Show long-term benefits beyond the funding period
- Include partnerships and collaboration opportunities
- Provide realistic budgets and timelines
- Highlight community engagement and participation
- Explain how outcomes will be measured
- Align project activities with program objectives
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting incomplete applications
- Failing to demonstrate community benefit
- Proposing activities outside program objectives
- Providing unrealistic budgets
- Missing required documentation
- Applying as an ineligible organisation
- Submitting more than one application
- Failing to explain drought preparedness outcomes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the maximum grant amount available?
Eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to AUD 50,000.
Is there a minimum funding request?
No. There is no minimum funding amount required under the program.
Who can apply?
Not-for-profit organisations with an ABN or Incorporation Certificate that deliver public benefit projects in eligible agriculture-dependent communities.
Can organisations without DGR-1 status apply?
Yes. Organisations without DGR-1 endorsement are eligible, provided the project delivers charitable purposes and public benefit.
What types of activities are supported?
The program supports networking activities, leadership development, training programs, drought preparedness initiatives, community collaboration projects, conferences, forums, field days, and small-scale infrastructure improvements.
When must projects be delivered?
Approved projects must be completed between October 2026 and April 2028.
Are individuals or businesses eligible?
No. Individuals, sole traders, and private businesses are not eligible to apply.
Conclusion
The Future Drought Fund Communities Program Small Network Grants provide important support for agriculture-dependent communities across remote, rural, and regional Australia. Through grants of up to AUD 50,000, the program helps not-for-profit organisations strengthen social resilience, improve drought preparedness, build community connections, and develop long-term solutions that enable communities to adapt and thrive in the face of future climate and drought challenges.
For more information, visit FRRR.
